Women relax with a pint of beer at an herbal beer spa in Chodova Plana, Czech Republic.

WESTERN BOHEMIA, Czech Republic - Sipping on a chilly Czech brew while dipping into hot, foamy beer. No guys, it's not a fantasy; it's for real -- and apparently good for you, too.

A yeasty aroma of malt and hops wafts from the beer health centre housed in the converted cellar of one of the Czech Republic's celebrated breweries. In a country famous for its high-quality beers and healthy spas, the historic Chodovar Family Brewery has combined the best of both worlds, with beer baths and beer massages at its Western Bohemia curative spa.

"This is the life," laughs fellow Canadian traveller John Stephenson, hoisting a frosted glass of Chodovar Czech Lager while soaking in a Victorian-style tub full of frothy dark beer.

Talk about a spa treatment that's custom-made for beer-loving Canadians -- heated to a comfortable 34 C, the bathing beer is enriched with mineral water, active beer yeast and a mixture of hops and dehydrated curative herbs. With curtains drawn around a comfy bath and a cold beer in hand, you're enveloped in the warm, sticky sensation of the aromatic caramel-coloured brew.

"Beer can treat a range of ailments, particularly skin conditions, and the health centre should appeal to men who are put off by 'posh' traditional spas," says owner Jiri Plevka.

"We believe in the healing properties of beer and we offer the full range of treatments in this fully-fledged beer spa."

After floating from the frothy tub to the relaxation room, wrapped like a beer-soaked mummy in my sheet and fleece quilt with the lights dimmed and soothing music in the background, I can certainly see the appeal of soaking in suds. Turns out, so do others.

The beer spa is usually fully booked weeks in advance, so make sure you arrange your treatments well before your trip.

While you're there, be sure to tour this, the oldest brewery in Western Bohemia. Its original granite-carved lager cellars date back to the 12th century and are still used to mature the lager today.

Check out the restaurant and small brewing industry museum housed within the ancient cellars, too.

Chodová Planá is one of several charming towns in picturesque Western Bohemia, located in the westernmost region of the Czech Republic and home to some of the world's best beer and historic healing spas.

The region's elegant spa towns, filled with rich natural medicinal waters, include world-famous Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) founded in 1350 by Charles IV, the Czech king and Roman emperor. Lovely Mariánske Lázne (Marienbad) dates back to the 16th century, drawing hordes of health-conscious visitors, often under doctor's orders to "take the waters."

While Prague's stunning architecture and maze of medieval lanes may attract millions of visitors to explore the celebrated Czech capital, Western Bohemia boasts "The Capital City of Beer" and its world-famous pale lager, Pilsner.

"The name Pilsner comes from Pilsner Urquell," says Petr Janík, a brewmaster of the beer that has made the Czech Republic famous. "Plze (Pilsen) is the name of a town in Czech, and that's where Pilsner Urquell gets its name from."

Janík contends this European classic is not only good, but also good for you.

"Pilsner Urquell is a healthy drink if you're having two a day," he says. "It contains a lot of vitamins -- mainly group B -- and minerals. And Pils contains significantly lower alcohol compared to other lagers -- 4.4 per cent compared to the five per cent of standard lagers."

So go ahead and soak in the suds. As they say in the Czech Republic, "Na zdravi" . . . To your health!

Janie Robinson is a Barrie, Ont.-based freelance journalist whose trip was subsidized by the Czech Tourist Authority and Czech Airlines.

IF YOU GO

- There are more than 30 spa towns throughout the Czech Republic and more than 300 brands of Czech beer on the market. Check out details on the Czech Tourism website at www.czechtourism.com.

- For details on the beer spa at The Chodovar Family Brewery, go to www.chodovar.cz.

- Czech Airlines has direct flights from Canada (Toronto) to Prague three days a week (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday) until Oct. 14, 2008. Details are at czechairlines.com or call 1-866-293-8702.

- The official currency is still the Czech crown (CZK), with 16 CZK worth around $1. The Czech Republic has been a member of the EU since May 1, 2004, and should enter the Euro Zone around 2010.

- Canadian tourists no longer require a visa to travel to the Czech Republic, and can visit for up to 90 days on Canadian passports valid for at least three months beyond your date of departure from the Czech Republic.

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